Friday 16 February, 2007
Hero's come back
Yes, pardon me while I giggle like the fangirl that I am.
Naruto: Shippuuden is finally here, and after downloading the episode this morning I dragged Dragon out of be at 7 am so I could watch it before going to work. And it's everything I hoped it would be, and more. It starts out with the scene I have most been waiting to see - they use a a non-linear approach to the storytelling and show a critical scene from a future storyline before starting from the beginning.
Quality of the animation, especially in the intro, is completely breathtaking - definitely best that I've seen in Naruto, but it measures up in any scale. New soundtrack is fantastic, they've completely redone it and it's more mature and dramatic just in the right way. Adaptation from the manga has been done skillfully, filling up the right parts and concentrating on the relevant. It's just a perfect ten, and worth all the wait.
Happy happy, joy joy. Fangirlishness over, you can come back now. Guys. Guys?
Posted by kolibri at 16 February 20:41, 2007My expectations were exceeded, as well, and they weren't low to begin with.
I was very surprised with the beginning, set in the future, because it feels so... climactic. Thematically the intro of Naruto: Shippuuden mirrors exactly where it left off: from an important showdown, from questions of loyalty and friendship. This time, though, you get to see new costumes, new powers, new approaches, a completely new character - and a distinct lack of another one. There's a lot going on that is not underlined in any way but leaves you aching for answers, most importantly to When do we get there? And how?.
With that, the basic dynamics are set, and we're taken back in time to more familiar surroundings. It's sheer delight revisiting the people we've come to know and love, seeing how they've changed and grown. The rest of the double episode alternates between often humorous moments of our heroes catching up with one another, and the first notes of dramatic events to come, suggesting Something Big is coming up.
Ah, it is good. I think I need to see it again tonight :).